Knobs Flat Nature Walk

This out-and-back walk starts at the Knobs Flat visitor centre and follows a forest route to Knob's Flat Waterfall, a small 33-m cascade in the beech forest near the Kiosk Creek area. It is a good short stop on the Te Anau–Milford Highway, but the waterfall route is more of a moderate bush walk than a fully formed, signed DOC short walk.

Allow roughly 30–60 minutes for the return trip; most walkers should plan on about 45 minutes. The visitor distance is about 0.9 miles (1.4 km) return. The mapped line represents the physical corridor once from the visitor centre to the waterfall viewpoint; return along the same route rather than duplicating the line in reverse.

Use the public Knobs Flat visitor-centre and amenity-centre parking area beside SH94. From the toilets and visitor-centre complex, follow the access directions toward the main gravel road and pick up the forest route east of Knobs Flat. The waterfall is sometimes called Knob's Flat Waterfall or Kate's Smile, and the route may be described informally as the Knobs Flat Waterfall Track.

Expect dense beech forest, uneven ground, and mud or slick surfaces after rain. Stay on the established route where possible and take care near the waterfall and any wet banks. Fiordland weather changes quickly, and traffic on SH94 is fast, so use the signed parking area and take care when crossing or walking near the highway.